A portable electronic device includes a free floating display lens having a stiffener ring mounted on a peripheral region or edge of the free floating display lens to affect modal density and modal distribution of the free floating display lens. Additionally, a piezoelectric supporting structure is attached to the stiffener ring, while surrounding a display, wherein the piezoelectric supporting structure is electrically driven to produce an acoustic signal in one mode and a vibratory haptic signal in another mode.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A portable electronic device, comprising: a. a free floating display lens having a stiffener ring mounted on a peripheral region or edge of the free floating display lens; b. one or more electromechanical transducers carried on a supporting structure, the supporting structure having a first end attached to the stiffener ring; c. a display positioned between the free floating display lens and the supporting structure; d. a user interface controller that sends signals to the one or more electromechanical transducers to enable an acoustic signal in one mode and a vibratory haptic signal in another mode; and e. a housing that substantially encloses the one or more electromechanical transducers, the display, and the user interface controller.
A portable electronic device has a free-floating display lens with a stiffener ring around its edge. An electromechanical transducer (or multiple) is attached to the stiffener ring via a supporting structure. A display sits between the lens and the supporting structure. A user interface controller sends signals to the transducer(s) to produce both audible sound in one mode and haptic vibrations in another. A housing encloses the transducers, display, and controller.
2. The portable electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the display is surrounded by the supporting structure.
The portable electronic device described includes a free-floating display lens with a stiffener ring around its edge. An electromechanical transducer (or multiple) is attached to the stiffener ring via a supporting structure. A display sits between the lens and the supporting structure. A user interface controller sends signals to the transducer(s) to produce both audible sound in one mode and haptic vibrations in another. A housing encloses the transducers, display, and controller. The supporting structure surrounds the display.
3. The portable electronic device as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising a skeletal structure for providing structural integrity to the portable electronic device.
The portable electronic device described includes a free-floating display lens with a stiffener ring around its edge. An electromechanical transducer (or multiple) is attached to the stiffener ring via a supporting structure that surrounds the display. A display sits between the lens and the supporting structure. A user interface controller sends signals to the transducer(s) to produce both audible sound in one mode and haptic vibrations in another. A housing encloses the transducers, display, and controller. A skeletal structure is added to provide structural integrity to the device.
4. The portable electronic device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the skeletal structure is mechanically grounded to a second end of the supporting structure.
The portable electronic device described includes a free-floating display lens with a stiffener ring around its edge. An electromechanical transducer (or multiple) is attached to the stiffener ring via a supporting structure that surrounds the display. A display sits between the lens and the supporting structure. A user interface controller sends signals to the transducer(s) to produce both audible sound in one mode and haptic vibrations in another. A housing encloses the transducers, display, and controller. A skeletal structure is added to provide structural integrity to the device. The skeletal structure is mechanically connected to a second end of the supporting structure.
5. The portable electronic device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the skeletal structure is a housing for the portable electronic device.
The portable electronic device described includes a free-floating display lens with a stiffener ring around its edge. An electromechanical transducer (or multiple) is attached to the stiffener ring via a supporting structure that surrounds the display. A display sits between the lens and the supporting structure. A user interface controller sends signals to the transducer(s) to produce both audible sound in one mode and haptic vibrations in another. A housing encloses the transducers, display, and controller. A skeletal structure (which is the housing itself) provides structural integrity and is mechanically connected to a second end of the supporting structure.
6. The portable electronic device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the supporting structure, for mounting the one or more electomechanical transducers, is a thin bendable structure attached at its periphery to the stiffener ring and at its center to the skeletal structure.
The portable electronic device described includes a free-floating display lens with a stiffener ring around its edge. An electromechanical transducer (or multiple) is attached to the stiffener ring via a supporting structure that surrounds the display. A display sits between the lens and the supporting structure. A user interface controller sends signals to the transducer(s) to produce both audible sound in one mode and haptic vibrations in another. A housing encloses the transducers, display, and controller. A skeletal structure is added to provide structural integrity to the device. The supporting structure, used for mounting the transducer(s), is a thin bendable material attached at its edge to the stiffener ring and at its center to the skeletal structure.
7. The portable electronic device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the electromechanical transducer is mounted in a bender configuration.
The portable electronic device described includes a free-floating display lens with a stiffener ring around its edge. An electromechanical transducer (or multiple) is attached to the stiffener ring via a thin, bendable supporting structure that surrounds the display and is connected to a skeletal structure. A display sits between the lens and the supporting structure. A user interface controller sends signals to the transducer(s) to produce both audible sound in one mode and haptic vibrations in another. A housing encloses the transducers, display, and controller. A skeletal structure is added to provide structural integrity to the device. The electromechanical transducer is mounted in a bender configuration, allowing it to flex and produce vibrations.
8. The portable electronic device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the electromechanical transducer is mounted in a cantilever configuration.
The portable electronic device described includes a free-floating display lens with a stiffener ring around its edge. An electromechanical transducer (or multiple) is attached to the stiffener ring via a thin, bendable supporting structure that surrounds the display and is connected to a skeletal structure. A display sits between the lens and the supporting structure. A user interface controller sends signals to the transducer(s) to produce both audible sound in one mode and haptic vibrations in another. A housing encloses the transducers, display, and controller. A skeletal structure is added to provide structural integrity to the device. The electromechanical transducer is mounted in a cantilever configuration, fixed at one end and free at the other to vibrate.
9. The portable electronic device as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising an acoustic suspension seal.
The portable electronic device described includes a free-floating display lens with a stiffener ring around its edge. An electromechanical transducer (or multiple) is attached to the stiffener ring via a thin, bendable supporting structure that surrounds the display and is connected to a skeletal structure. A display sits between the lens and the supporting structure. A user interface controller sends signals to the transducer(s) to produce both audible sound in one mode and haptic vibrations in another. A housing encloses the transducers, display, and controller. A skeletal structure is added to provide structural integrity to the device. An acoustic suspension seal is included to improve sound quality.
10. The portable electronic device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the acoustic suspension seal is selected from the group consisting of a half roll elastomeric roll, a thin stretchable elastomer, a wiper, and a compression gasket.
The portable electronic device described includes a free-floating display lens with a stiffener ring around its edge. An electromechanical transducer (or multiple) is attached to the stiffener ring via a thin, bendable supporting structure that surrounds the display and is connected to a skeletal structure. A display sits between the lens and the supporting structure. A user interface controller sends signals to the transducer(s) to produce both audible sound in one mode and haptic vibrations in another. A housing encloses the transducers, display, and controller. A skeletal structure is added to provide structural integrity to the device. The acoustic suspension seal is a half-roll elastomeric roll, a thin stretchable elastomer, a wiper, or a compression gasket.
11. The portable electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the one or more electromechanical transducers is selected from the group consisting of an armature motor, a piezoelectric element, and a moving coil motor.
The portable electronic device has a free-floating display lens with a stiffener ring around its edge. An electromechanical transducer (armature motor, piezoelectric element, or moving coil motor) is attached to the stiffener ring via a supporting structure. A display sits between the lens and the supporting structure. A user interface controller sends signals to the transducer(s) to produce both audible sound in one mode and haptic vibrations in another. A housing encloses the transducers, display, and controller.
12. The portable electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the supporting structure is an elastomeric gasket in combination with embedded rigid standoffs.
The portable electronic device has a free-floating display lens with a stiffener ring around its edge. An electromechanical transducer is attached to the stiffener ring via a supporting structure that includes an elastomeric gasket combined with rigid standoffs. A display sits between the lens and the supporting structure. A user interface controller sends signals to the transducer to produce both audible sound in one mode and haptic vibrations in another. A housing encloses the transducer, display, and controller.
13. The portable electronic device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the electromechanical transducer is attached to the rigid standoffs causing the electromechanical transducer to operate in a cantilever fashion.
The portable electronic device has a free-floating display lens with a stiffener ring around its edge. An electromechanical transducer is attached to the stiffener ring via a supporting structure that includes an elastomeric gasket combined with rigid standoffs. A display sits between the lens and the supporting structure. A user interface controller sends signals to the transducer to produce both audible sound in one mode and haptic vibrations in another. A housing encloses the transducer, display, and controller. The electromechanical transducer is attached to the rigid standoffs, operating in a cantilever fashion (fixed at one end).
14. The portable electronic device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the electromechanical transducer is attached to the rigid standoffs at both ends and the middle of the electromechanical transducer thereby causing the electromechanical transducer to operate in a bender fashion.
The portable electronic device has a free-floating display lens with a stiffener ring around its edge. An electromechanical transducer is attached to the stiffener ring via a supporting structure that includes an elastomeric gasket combined with rigid standoffs. A display sits between the lens and the supporting structure. A user interface controller sends signals to the transducer to produce both audible sound in one mode and haptic vibrations in another. A housing encloses the transducer, display, and controller. The electromechanical transducer is attached to the rigid standoffs at both ends and in the middle, causing it to operate in a bender fashion (flexing in the middle).
15. The portable electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the stiffener ring has varying thicknesses along circumference of the display.
The portable electronic device has a free-floating display lens with a stiffener ring around its edge. An electromechanical transducer is attached to the stiffener ring via a supporting structure. A display sits between the lens and the supporting structure. A user interface controller sends signals to the transducer to produce both audible sound in one mode and haptic vibrations in another. A housing encloses the transducer, display, and controller. The stiffener ring has varying thicknesses along the circumference of the display, potentially to control vibration modes.
16. The portable electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the enabled acoustic signal is emitted as a private-level audio output in a private operating mode.
The portable electronic device has a free-floating display lens with a stiffener ring around its edge. An electromechanical transducer is attached to the stiffener ring via a supporting structure. A display sits between the lens and the supporting structure. A user interface controller sends signals to the transducer to produce both audible sound in one mode and haptic vibrations in another. A housing encloses the transducer, display, and controller. The generated acoustic signal is emitted as a private-level audio output when the device is in a private operating mode (e.g., for discreet listening).
17. The portable electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the enabled acoustic signal is emitted as a hands free, speakerphone level audio output in a speakerphone operating mode.
The portable electronic device has a free-floating display lens with a stiffener ring around its edge. An electromechanical transducer is attached to the stiffener ring via a supporting structure. A display sits between the lens and the supporting structure. A user interface controller sends signals to the transducer to produce both audible sound in one mode and haptic vibrations in another. A housing encloses the transducer, display, and controller. The generated acoustic signal is emitted as a hands-free, speakerphone-level audio output in a speakerphone operating mode.
18. A method for providing audio and haptic signals to a free floating display lens of a portable electronic device, comprising the steps of: a) driving an electromechanical transducer carried by a supporting structure with an electrical signal to enable an acoustic signal in one mode and a vibratory haptic signal in another mode; and b) controlling frequency along varying thickness portions of a stiffener ring carried on the supporting structure; wherein the supporting structure comprises a first end attached to the stiffener ring mounted on a peripheral region or edge of the free floating display lens, and wherein a display is positioned between the free floating display lens and the supporting structure.
A method for providing audio and haptic signals to a portable electronic device with a free-floating display lens includes driving an electromechanical transducer, which is carried by a supporting structure, with an electrical signal. This driving enables the transducer to produce an acoustic signal in one mode and a vibratory haptic signal in another mode. The method also includes controlling the frequency along varying thickness portions of a stiffener ring carried on the supporting structure. The supporting structure is attached to the stiffener ring at the edge of the free-floating display lens, and a display sits between the lens and the supporting structure.
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December 14, 2010
September 24, 2013
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